Gate for turbines



JJ. 131. STAPLES;

Gates for Turbines.

Patented Mar; 16,1880.

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Nd A Z7 N- PETERS. PHDTO-LJTNQQRAFHER. WASHINGTbN, D. C.

. UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN H. STAPLES, OF BOSTON, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF AND SAMUEL R.

THOMPSON, OF BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS.

GATE FOR TURBINES.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 225,495, dated March 16, 1880. Application filed November 18, 1878.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN H. STAPLES, of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain Improvements in Gates for Turbines, of which the following is a specification, the drawings accompanying the same representing my'invention.

This invention relates to water w wheels usually termed turbines, in which a stationary cylindrical casing or conductor surrounds the wheel, and is provided with chutes or openings which conduct the water to the wheel. The amount of water passing through the conductor to the wheel is regulated by a movable gate, which consists of a metallic ring adapted to inclose the periphery of the conductor and cover the openings in the lat: ter, and also adapted to be moved so as to more or less uncover said openings. When the said gate has been a solid or continuous ring of such diameter internally that it will fit closely against the surface of the conductor, the friction between the gate and conductor makes it difficult to raise and lower the gate, and the gate is liable to be fastened to the conductor by rust forming on the proximate surfaces of the two, provided the gate is allowed to remain long in one position. To obviate this difficulty the gate has usually been made so large as not to fit closely against the surface of the conductor; but the size of the gate requisite to prevent rusting necessarily involves a space between the proximate surfaces of the gate and conductor, sothat the openings in the latter are not perfectly packed or covered by the gate when the same is adj usted to partially or wholly shut off the water from the wheel.

My invention consists, first, in constructing the annular gate in areal sections, and providin g it with means of forcing the sections apart, and thus expanding the gate, in order to separate it from the conductor and enable the gate to be raised and lowered without friction.

My invention consists, also, in so constructing the gate that it will be held closely against the conductor by the pressure of the water outside of the gate when the wheel is in operation, and can be expanded so as to be separated from the conductor when it is desired to raise and lower the gate.

Of the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 represents a side view of a turbiueconductor provided with a gate embodying my invention, Fig. 2 being a section of the two on line as as, Fig. 1.

In the drawings, 0 denotes the conductor, the same having a cylindrical outer surface, and also openings or chutes 0, extending inwardly from the said outer surface to the wheel, which is not shown in the drawings. The openings 0 are preferably arranged in tiers or series, as shown in a turbine for which a patent has been granted me.

The annular gate shown at G encompasses the cylindrical surface of the conductor and the openings 0. Instead of being composed of a solid or continuous ring, as heretofore, the gate is made in two or more areal sections, 8 8. These sections, at their ends, are provided with flanges f f, which are connected by screw-bolts b 11 passing through them. Each of the said bolts 11 is screw-threaded, and provided at one end with a head, h, and at the other with a screw-nut, n, the said nut and head bearing against the outer sides of the flanges f, as shown.

TT represent rubber or other proper springs, which are interposed between the flanges of the areal sections 8, and are supported by the bolts b, which go through such springs axially thereof. Their function is to exert pressure upon the sections s,.in order to force them apart to expand the gate. The springs may be of any suitable construction and material, preferablyof india-rubber. The gate is to be adapted in a manner to admit of it being raised and lowered in the usual way to regulate the admission of water to the conductor, and thence to the wheel.

When the wheel is in operation there is pressure of water against all portions of the outer surface of the gate. This pressure, overcoming the resistance of the springs T, contracts the gate and causes the sections 3 to bear closely against the periphery of the conductor. On the water being shut off so as to relieve the gate from the pressure of such water, the springs expand the gate and separate it slightly from the cylindrical surface of the conductor, in order that the gate may not be rusted and caused to adhere thcreto' It will be borne in mind that the bolts I) slide in the flanges fwith sufficient freedom to.admit of the described contraction and expansion of the gate.

I do not limit myself under all circumstances to the use of the springs T, as any suitable equivalent means for forcing apart the sections and expanding the gate may be employed Without departing from the spirit of my invention. The springs operate to expand the gate when the pressure of the water is reduced.

1 do not claim a turbine annular gate consisting of a ring separated in one place only,

but devices for holding the sections in connection, as represented.

A turbine annular gate made in sections, as set forth, and having springs applied to them to force them asunder, as and for the purpose explained.

4. A turbine annular gate made in sections, as set forth, and not only having springs applied to them for forcing themasunder, but also having screw bolts and nuts for holding the sections in connection, as explained.

5. lhe combination of the turbine annular conductor with the annular gate made in secmy name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN H. STAPLES.

Witnesses:

JOHN C. OTIS, JOHN P. K. OTIS. 

